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Articles from
November 2007
New Fair Board Member
Friday, November 30, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Yolo County has a new Fair Board Member....
Release from the Governor
Katie Villegas, 41, of West Sacramento, has been appointed to the Yolo County Fair Board of Directors (40th District Agricultural Association). She has served as executive director for the Yolo County Children's Alliance since 2006. Previously, Villegas was an associate governmental program analyst for the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs from 2005 to 2006 and associate governmental program analyst for the California Department of Health Services from 2004 to 2005. Prior to that, she owned the consulting firm, Katie Villegas Consulting, from 2003 to 2006. Villegas is co-chair and fundraising development chair for the Children's Health Initiative and a representative for the Yolo County First 5 Commission. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Villegas is a Democrat.
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Horse Meat -- Just for Yolo Cowboy
Thursday, November 29, 2007 ::
5 Comments
I just found Yolo Cowboy's cousin in England. This woman actually seems a little odd.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fTQK5KewQ1g&feature=related
Patricia -- don't watch this.
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Woodlander of the Month lunch today at Paco's Tacos
Thursday, November 29, 2007 ::
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Today we had the Woodlander of the Month lunch at Paco's.
Highlights include:
- Tom Alexander, President of the YMCA Board of Directors got his award
- Kelly Hutchison, YMCA ED joining us. I love her.
- Mayor Dave Flory showing up at the event with an "I Love Hillary" sign on his shirt
- Flory basically admitting that he reads this blog by the above. He claims he doesn't.
- The low point of my day was when I went to get my camera from my car the guy painting outside asked me, "Aren't you Jeff Monroe? You're the guy that went to Iraq right?" I think Flory paid him to say that.
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Self Help County - Transportation
Thursday, November 29, 2007 ::
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This story in the Sacrament Bee today is important for Yolo County.
Placer County has decided that it is not politically viable to place a half cent sales tax measure on the ballot to improve roads.
This means that Placer will not have the local share portion to fund transportation projects.
The other thing it shows is political wisdom. I think local governments often put things on the ballot and then walk away. The Placer County Board of Supervisors now can decide if they are willing to work to improve voter base information or not.
When ballot measures lose it often has greater costs than that. It has long term consequences for the local government body.
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Festival of Trees
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 ::
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Lots of work was going on today at the Gibson Mansion today to prepare for this event. Jenn and I are going on Friday. Adam and I are going on Saturday.
Please join us.
Festival of Trees Gala
Friday, November 30th 7 to 9 pm
Silent Auction of Decorated Trees, all done by community members
Holiday Faire—Wine and Champagne
Entertainment
tickets $25 per person
Saturday, Dec 1st is Family Day at the Museum
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus/ crafts for kids, photos and more
Noon to 4 pm
No admission
All at the Yolo County Gibson Museum—512 Gibson Road, Woodland
All proceeds benefit Gibson House Museum
For more info: call Dotty at 666-8230
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SACOG Awards
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 ::
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Two people from Yolo County won awards from SACOG this year. Conrgrats to Mike McGowan and Sue Heitman.
Citizen of the Year: Brooks Truitt
For Continuing Civic Engagement
Project of the Year: CalTrans Division of Rail
Voluntary Diesel Retrofit of Passenger Cars and Overall Reductions of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Blueprint Excellence: Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates
Collaboration with Community for Complete Streets
Blueprint Excellence: WalkSacramento
Collaboration with Community for Complete Streets
Business of the Year: KCRA 3
Bill Hughes Elected Official of the Year: Mike McGowan, Yolo County Supervisor
Efforts in Open Space Preservation
Employee of the Year: Sue Heitman, Executive Director of Capay Valley Vision
Revitalization Efforts for Esparto & rural Yolo County
Special Recognition: Susan Frazier
Distinguished Service and Community Outreach in the SACOG Region
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Bicycle Safety
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Here are some of the steps that have been taken recently on bicycle safety in Yolo County.
We have some other things in the works. I still believe that a dedicated bike path between Woodland and Davis is something that would be a huge asset.
+ Additional safety signs, "Share the Road", have been
installed on strategic roads in particular CR 99
+ County Road crews have and will continue to sweep CR 99
on a regular basis to minimize the debris on it
+ Have a Road Maintenance request form that is accessible
on line at the above link to allow the public to provide road
crews with information on maintenance needs (link goes direct to road
crews for scheduling, bicyclists seem to be primary
users of this form)
+ Have been tentatively awarded $352,512 in State Bicycle
Transportation Account funds (the application was submitted
in December 2006) to match with $46,339 in YSAQMD funds (applied for in
February 2006) to add pavement width to CR99D (frontage road
from CR 29 to City of Davis east of Davis Golf Course and west of SH
113). We are still waiting for the agreement from
the State that is necessary to schedule and bid the construction work on
CR99D.
+ Bids for the construction project to reconstruct and
widen the entire 2 mile section of CR99 between CR27 and 29 were
opened 10/31/07. We are in the process of awarding a construction
contract to the low bidder, Central Valley
Engineering & Asphalt of Roseville.
+ The Board recently approved the submittal of an
application for $1.6 million in SACOG funds (for construction) to widen
CR29 between CR99 and 99D. The right of way needed along CR29 was
purchased earlier this year, so we are lacking only
construction funds for this segment.
+ Applying to SACOG for funds to widen additional portions
of CR 99 (urban-rural connector), Petrea Marchand working
with PPW to inform SACOG of reasons to provide funds.
Sources of funding for road widening and bike lane projects:
+ State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) $1.4
million (to be used for pending construction on CR99 between
CR29 and CR27)
+ State Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) $240,642 and
YSAQMD Clean Air funds $55,000 (used for interim
widening on CR99 south of CR27)
+ Federal Congestion Management and Air Quality (CMAQ)
$200,000 (used for environmental studies and CEQA and
NEPA clearance, survey work, & right of way purchases on CR29)
+ State BTA $352,512 and YSAQMD Clean Air $46,339 (to be
used for CR99D widening)
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Life in the NFL
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The New York Times has a piece today on some of the lives being experienced for men after they leave the NFL.
This same thing is happening to some military vets in Special Forces. Recon Marines, SEALS, Rangers, and others are having the same kind of injuries due to over use and extreme conditions.
For the NFL -- I think some of this information is being kept away from players and fans. These young men need to know what waits for them on the other side of football. I have heard stories about the life expectancy of NFL players. It is not good at all. Linemen in particular do not live long.
How much is playing with your kids worth to you?
In the end -- save. Save. Save. Rainy days come for all of us.
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I am not crazy
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 ::
1 Comments
Look. I realize half of you people think I am nuts but that newspaper machine really did talk. I swear it did.
They have an audio chip in there that thanks you for buying the newspaper. It is triggered somehow when you put the quarters in it.
I am not hearing things. Go buy a newspaper yourself.
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Daily Democrat Newspaper Machines
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 ::
0 Comments
So yesterday I left Woodland early in the morning. I was headed down Main Street when I started to wonder if the article on Clark Pacific was in the newspaper. So I stop in front of Pearson's and run across the street to get my copy of the paper. There is no one around and I am just going to grab my paper and get on the road.
I throw my quarters in the machine and it starts talking to me. I swear. It scared me half to death. I might have actually soiled my shorts.
"Thanks for buying a Daily Democrat your local leader blah, blah, blah...." or something like that. I really don't know what the stupid thing said except that I almost jumped over the machine and through the window when the thing started talking to me.
If they have video of me buying the newspaper I will probably make candid camera. I'm not sure what it looked like but I was really close to needing CPR.
So now I want to know whose voice is in that machine. See poll.
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Big issue for local government
Monday, November 26, 2007 ::
0 Comments
This article in the San Francisco Chronicle is really important. I am working on a similar thing for county governments in California.
It is time that some of these mandates were treated like the mandates they are.
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Tough Sunday
Sunday, November 25, 2007 ::
2 Comments
Last night was one of those that every parent knows about. Adam had a fever and was not happy -- starting at about 11pm.
I have been sleeping in five minute chunks all day.
There are several posts I really wanted to make today but I am too brain dead to write anything worth a darn.
Check out this site. Dino is a genius. Hello Happy Pitbulls and I have elementary school level sites. DPD is a college level site. Surf Putah I think was junior high school. Lovely.
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Free for all: Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangstas in the Public Library
Saturday, November 24, 2007 ::
0 Comments
 I have not been reporting on the books I have been reading lately. Largely because I don't think too many of you would be interested. However, I just finished a great book.
Sitting in Savory the other day I read this book review in the SF Chronicle about Free for All: Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangstas in the Public Library by Don Borchert. Borchert lives in Lomita, CA and still works in a public library.
This book made me laugh out loud several times. He has great stories about some nutty people that he has had to deal with in a public library. People running a meth operation out of the bathroom, a guy that blows an air horn inside to signal when he is there to pick up his son, and how the staff deals with fines. He even has a story about two moms fighting in the parking lot. This is a great book that does not take long to read.
Here is the one passage that really got me. It is about going to orientation and getting briefed on the city union.
I never brought the green membership card back. Eventually they made me a union member anyway, signature or not. I was called a courtesy member. It was a solidarity thing. A solid wall of vigilant, united workers against an unforgiving wall of oppressive management. It is an adorable, romantic notion that neither side seems to believe. These days there are no membership cards, no pleading and boasting and hectoring to the new employees. You work for the city -- well, congratulations, you just joined the union.
This is the way many employees feel about public employee unions.
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River Water
Saturday, November 24, 2007 ::
1 Comments
The Sacramento Bee had an article yesterday about the potential of a river water project for Woodland and Davis.
The facts in the article pretty much state the case in terms of why the people of Woodland might very well be for or against the project. Increased water quality v. cost.
Quality water is one thing I am willing to pay more for. When I consider the increased quality, the fact that I will be able to stop using a water softner, and stop pumping ground water it makes a lot of sense.
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Endurance: Ernest Shackleton
Saturday, November 24, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Today I was amazed to read the New York Times article about the cruise ship that went down in the Antarctic Ocean. All the people on board were rescued by two others ships that responded to the distress call.
It is wonderful that all the people on board were rescued.
The thing that is ironic is that they were on the "Spirit of Shackleton" tour. For those of you that want to read a story of true leadership I strong recommend "South" and "Endurance" about his efforts.
Ernest Shackelton was a true leader. In a time without Gortex and Powerbars his team made an amazing journey of about 1,000 miles in some of th worst conditions possible.
Lots of people know about Lewis and Clark. More people should know about Ernest Shakelton. He accomplished his mission and was able to lead under difficult circumstances.
It is easy to lead when you have a nice airconditioned room and full stomachs. Try leading people that are cold wet and tired. Try leading cold wet and tired people for more than five months.
Many of his men that went on this journey later died in WWI. These were probably the only men that thought they were in better circumstances in the middle of WWI than they were just a year prior.
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Thankful for Dotty
Thursday, November 22, 2007 ::
2 Comments
As a Christian, husband, father, and business owner I am thankful for a long list of things. I realize that I am a very lucky man.
As a Supervisor, I'm most thankful that Dotty Huber works for Yolo County. She has had an amazing first year in our office. I trust her and am 100% sure that she was the best person to work for the people of Woodland.
When I started looking to see who would be a good staff person I started making lists. Every time I did -- Dotty's name was on it.
I get credit for some things that my office does. The reality is that most all of the good things we have done have been the result of her effort. That includes a big chunk of backpacks for kids, most of the effort to put together turkeys for the Wayfarer Center, 100% of the Gibson House effort, 99% of the Woodlander of the Month program, 99% of the Yolo County 101, and a ton of other stuff that people don't see.
We have the authority to have two people working in the office but we both agree that it is best if it is just the two of us. It works. My goal was to try and find someone that would not get sucked into the internal politics and policies of county government. Instead, I wanted to focus on helping Woodland. She does that.
Woodland should be thankful for the effort made by Dotty Huber. She goes above and beyond all the time.
We have learned a ton together this year. Next year we can do some more cool stuff.
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Non-smoking apartments in Woodland
Thursday, November 22, 2007 ::
0 Comments
I hate smoking. I've never smoked a cigarette, cigar, joint, crack pipe or anything like that. When I am on the road and a hotel has only smoking rooms left I go somewhere else.
The article in the Sacramento Bee today about the Springlake apartment complex that will be entirely smoking free seems like a great idea to me. The owner wants to make the place smoke free then they can market it as such.
What I would not support is the suggestion in this article that Woodland adopt an ordinance that bans smoking in all apartment complexes. The people like me that don't like smoking will provide the market incentive to have more smoking free apartments. The article says they are springing up all over the place. Let the market work.
I feel the same way about bars and other private establishments. I don't like smoking but if the bar owner wants to have smoking then people can choose to go or work in another place. Other establishments will remain smoke free and appeal to a different kind of consumer.
This apartment building is a good thing but let's not push it too far.
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Be thankful
Thursday, November 22, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Happy Thanksgiving.
I am so very thankful to God for all he has given to me and my family.
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Woodland Basketball
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 ::
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Jimmy Campos talked me into playing D League basketball. Last week was our first game. We lost by 35 or so. It was my first time to play ball in the Community Center. Awesome place to play.
Tonight we played our second game. We lost by 67 points to a group from Arbuckle. 67. Terrible.
Here is the crazy part. I hate to lose....but I had a great time. It was a blast and I can't wait to play again next week.
We will win a game this year.
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Fererra for Supervisor
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 ::
2 Comments
John Fererra is running to replace Mariko Yamada on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. He is working hard to get elected so he can spend two years sitting next to me. Right.
Here is his website. I just found it tonight.
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Cheerleaders -- I would back the school
Monday, November 19, 2007 ::
2 Comments
 Mark it down. Remind me. Hold me to it.
I just learned about this whole Ripon cheerleader thing. Here is the story.
There is something that tells me that something like this will end up being part of my future. If it does, I will be backing the Vice-Principal. This is not about showing bloomers -- it is about disobeying authority.
These parents should be supporting the school district. This is where kids learn from their mistakes. If the parents appeal the suspension and win it will be teaching these cheerleaders exactly the wrong lesson.
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Sacramento Business Journal Focus on Yolo County
Monday, November 19, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The focus of the Sacramento Business Journal this week is Yolo County. Woodland City Manager Mark Deven is the cover man for the insert.
The article is not on-line but I would encourage you to check it out in hard copy.
One "disillusioned developer" is quoted in the article. Other things are positive.
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Thank you for the help with the turkeys.
Sunday, November 18, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The following people are some of the many that have sent checks to support Operation Turkey. Others have asked to remain anonymous.
Blue Wing Gallery
USA Tires, Inc
C.F. Case
Raymond Groom
Morales Trucking
Ronald and Diana Glick
Woodland Montessori
Betsy Marchand
Meridian Pacific, Inc.
Chamberlain Farms
Mike McGowan
Bob and Dotty Huber
Loretta Hansen
Patricia Harbour
Redwood Barn Nursery
Chowchilla City Councilman Justin and Jennifer White
Christine Shewmaker
Dave Flory
David and Audrey Haverstock
Cirernio Rodriguez
Euserbio Rivera
Jesse Ortiz, Jr.
Julie Dachtler
Conaway Preservation Group
Tovey Giezentanner
Amy Schulte
Ken Henderson
The Stallards
The Ramming Family
Thank you for all of your support. Hundreds of Yolo County families will have a better Thanksgiving because of your efforts.
Semper Fi.
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Where are they now -- Dan Coffey
Sunday, November 18, 2007 ::
0 Comments
I have some friends down in San Diego that were approached about supporting a guy that is running for City Attorney. One of the reasons the candidate gave that he was qualified was that he had been elected to the Yolo County Board of Education.
Does anyone know someone named Dan Coffey? I don't.
Here is his website.
Was he a good board member?
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San Bernardino County
Sunday, November 18, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Last night I attended a retirement party in Palm Springs for a friend. This morning I am flying back to Sacramento from Ontario. Should be able to make it home in time to go to church at 0900.
One of the few things I like about traveling is reading the local newspapers about public policy issues going on there.
San Bernardino County always has something crazy going on.
Here is the story on the front page of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin today. Here is the story from a few days ago that started it.
I feel very strongly that the public has the right to know about every penny I spend -- without any kind of filter. The County Counsel is doing their job -- but it is a question of what is right not what is legal.
The one thing I do balk on is the public being able to know what I read or who I meet with. I really do believe that I should be able to speak with anyone I like about anything and I should not have to tell anyone about it. There has to be some sense of privacy available to elected officials...but if you want privacy you should have to pay for it yourself.
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4.16% Pay Raise
Thursday, November 15, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The pay for Yolo County Supervisors is tied directly to the salary for Superior Court Judges. It is something like 35% or 40% of whatever they make.
I don't believe that elected officials should accept pay increases in the middle of their term. My salary was set when I was elected and I should stay at that pay rate unless I stand before the voters and am re-elected.
Today we got word that judges are getting a 4.16% pay raise effective in July 2007.
I take my auto allowance and all of the money from any pay raises and donate them to Woodland charities.
You can read the memo from the courts below.
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Turkey Day
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 ::
0 Comments
We had a good day today in the hunt for turkeys. I think the total was $1,200.
We still need more than $1,000.
Dotty and I need to put out a list of those people that have helped so far.
We will get that up here.
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Hector Jimenez, Jr.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Hector Jimenez went to Holy Rosary with me from about 3rd grade on. We graduated from Woodland High School together in 1986.
I remember an article about him that was in the Daily Democrat in the early 1990s. Hector died while on active duty in the Air Force. My memory is a little vague but I remember it having something to do with a brain problem aboard a transport plane.
At my 20th High School reunion his picture flashed up on the screen as one of the people that we had lost.
Each night when I put Abbie to bed I tell her a "Sally story". Abbie gets to name the characters. Sally is a little girl that is full of mischief. Abbie decides the general story line and I make up the facts as we go along. One night she let me name a character is Sally's class. I chose Hector and think of him each time we bring in that character. Sally, her best friend Alena, and Hector are often the three in the middle of Sally story time at the Rexroad home.
Well I just got off the phone with Hector Jimenez, Sr. It was really strange to get this call. I do not know him but hope to meet him soon since it turns out we live close together.
He just described to me how he had to bring home Hector's body from Spain.
I pray that none of us will never have to experience the living hell of a long trans-Atlantic flight with the body of our spouse, son, or daughter.
I am going to go hug my family.
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Issues in Concord
Saturday, November 10, 2007 ::
0 Comments
This may be a reason Mark Deven is happy to be in Woodland instead of Concord.
Lots to read between the lines here.
See article below from the Contra Costa Times. Mark is mentioned in the final paragraph.
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Jim Smith Column Today
Friday, November 09, 2007 ::
2 Comments
I'm going to read this in greater detail later because I need to really think about Jim Smith's Our Town column in the newspaper today.
One of you sent me a nastygram the other day about my previous post on the issue of race in local elections. Several of you have sent favorable comments. Some of you thought it was wrong to bring race into the equation.
NEWS FLASH -- race is in the equation. I'm just pointing out what is true. I'm not advocating it. I'm making an observation about something I think is wrong in Woodland.
For those of you that can't read between the lines Cirenio should have gotten every vote but one -- that of his opponent. Further, there is no reason that Evis Morales should have done substantially worse than than Blackwood.
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USMC Birthday Cake
Friday, November 09, 2007 ::
0 Comments
This is a picture of the USMC birthday cake that was used for the Board Meeting on Tuesday. It was really good.
It should say Happy Birthday instead of Happy Anniversary but that is ok.
Patricia, Maya, and Julie saved me from myself when I was trying to cut the thing. It was really thick. Patricia actually knew a cake cutting technique that involved cutting around the circle.
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Full Belly Farm
Friday, November 09, 2007 ::
0 Comments
The Rexroad family just started something new this week. We are getting a weekly box of vegetables from Full Belly Farm.
I was kind of wary of the whole thing. Jenn went over to Toyon Drive on Wednesday to pick up a box of organic vegetables. She emptied them into a bag and brought them home.
This week we got --
Chard
Broccoli
New Potatoes
Salad Mix
Delicata
Tokyo Turnips
Flamingo and Gypsy Peppers
Well, by the time I got home Adam had eaten big chunks of the peppers. However, I did have the chard, broccoli, new potatoes and salad mix. The broccoli and potatoes may have been the best I have ever had.
I am not sure about the Delicata. We will see what we do with that.
Jenn made soup with the chard and it was great.
I don't know what it will be this good next week but the first week was a home run.
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Knuckleheads
Thursday, November 08, 2007 ::
1 Comments
The local news media is buzzing right now about war protesters in Woodland today.
Here is the group.
These folks went and picketed the Haliburton location on Hayes Lane. I am told none of these people were from Davis. They were from Sacramento.
From what I can tell this operation is involved in oil exploration and has been operating there for years. They are not building bombs. Good grief.
I just placed a call to Haliburton to see if they need someone from Woodland to respond.
Look -- whatever you think about the war in Iraq is your right but stop getting in the way of a business operating in our community. These people are not into making a difference at all.
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Who is where?
Thursday, November 08, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Ok. Becky Robinson (first recipient of the Woodlander of the Month Award) is geting ready to do Christmas Care packages for US Service members that are overseas for the holidays.
If you know of someone from Woodland that is in the armed forces that is overseas please let me know who they are and where the care packages need to go. I will forward the information to Becky.
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Ag Districts -- Meetings
Wednesday, November 07, 2007 ::
0 Comments
NOTICE OF CANCELLED WORKSHOPS
On November 1, 2007, you received notice of a series of public workshops to solicit public input concerning the proposed Agricultural Districts for Capay, Clarksburg, and the Dunnigan Hills, as a part of the Yolo County General Plan update. These workshops were set for November 7, 8, 13, 28 and December 5, 6, and 10.
Unfortunately this effort was based on a misunderstanding of the Board of Supervisors’ direction as adopted in the meeting of September 18, 2007. As a result, all workshops have been cancelled and will be rescheduled for the first part of next year. Due to the late notice, staff will attend the meetings with the Capay Valley and Clarksburg Advisory Committees set for Wednesday (November 7) and Thursday (November 8) to accept any comments and/or suggestions offered at that time. However, these exchanges will be preliminary, subject to a more formalized process to come.
The Board of Supervisors has strongly emphasized and is committed to the concept that agricultural districts are central to the County's goal to enhance agricultural business and expand farm tourism opportunities. It is important that the public be fully informed regarding the issues and concepts being proposed, and that meaningful dialogue is provided to determine how best agricultural districts can be incorporated into the General Plan update. Additional time needs to be set aside for this process to ensure that this critical idea is given due consideration.
As directed by the Board, staff will be preparing several items in the coming months, including: (1) more comprehensive and detailed information about agricultural districts; (2) an outline of the public outreach process; (3) a timeline for the rescheduled public workshops; and (4) a Request for Proposals to solicit a professional facilitator to assist the County with the agricultural districts discussion. It is expected that these items will return to the Board for consideration in January for approval, with implemented to follow.
We apologize for the inconvenience and confusion caused by the earlier notice. The improved process will allow for greater public participation in shaping future policy. This is of critical importance to the Board of Supervisors and we will let you know as soon as the new schedule is available. If you have any questions, please contact David Morrison, Assistant Director at david.morrison@yolocounty.org <mailto:david.morrison@yolocounty.org> or at (530) 666-8041 or Heidi Tschudin, General Plan Project Manager at htschudin@sbcglobal.net <mailto:htschudin@sbcglobal.net> or at (916) 447-1809.
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Woodland has an issue
Wednesday, November 07, 2007 ::
1 Comments
Woodland has a great history of having minorities serve in public office. Personally, I am not a believer in the idea that a person should be in office only because of their race. That to me is discrimination.
Here is my problem with the election results from last night. I think race played a role in some of the results.
We all have different views of the candidates. That is fine. To each their own.
We had a couple races where there was a clear distinction in terms of the ability of the candidates to serve. No reasonable person could possibly look at the candidates and not make the clear choice. Yet, these side-show candidates got hundreds of votes.
It is a free country and anyone can run for office. I will never think otherwise. However, I have noticed over the years that when we have an exceptional candidate with a "different" sounding name (often times Latino) running against someone with an Anglo name and few credentials the Anglo candidate gets way more votes than would be expected.
We have some voters out there in Woodland that are discriminating against candidates based on their surname. Seems pretty clear to me.
We have a free country .... that sometime provides disappointing outcomes.
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I think Art has been drinking
Wednesday, November 07, 2007 ::
0 Comments
"It's kind of very simple," he said. "I've had a good relationship with her at the City Council level, at a professional level and knowing where her heart is and all of these different issues for the district. When it comes to transportation, she understands the issues, she understands the impacts at the county level, rural level, and city level."
Ramble, ramble, ramble.
This is Art Pimentel in the Davis Enterprise yesterday. He is the Public Information Officer for Woodland Community College. Good grief.
Here is the next release that will come from Councilman Pimentel.
"We are thinking about maybe having a concrete plan to do something fuzzy. The Governor, X-man, and me are going to have some clear statements on what we may do yesterday. Together we understand how this impacts the people of Mars, Dallas, and my daily exercise routine.....and so on and so forth and things like that. Thank you for your attention to onion rings."
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Election Results
Wednesday, November 07, 2007 ::
0 Comments
All in all it was a pretty good election night for me.
Evis did not win but the rest of the people I supported did.
Carol Souza Cole pretty much got a mandate from the people of Woodland. Consider this. She got 44% of the vote. The most she could actually get was 50% when people vote for two.
Congratulations to all of the winners.
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Yolo County 101 - Tribes
Tuesday, November 06, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Tomorrow night Yolo County 101 has a special guest. Darry Sragow is an old friend that will be discussing tribal relations.
We had last week off for Halloween. We should have a good group tomorrow.
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Health Care Reform -- Why bother?
Sunday, November 04, 2007 ::
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I have not been a believer in the whole health care reform effort. My doubts started right when the talk started. They are now fear. My biggest fear is that the folks in Sacramento will adopt something just to adopt something. That something will be a train wreck for sure.
Dan Walters has done a wonderful job articulating the point that I was unable to communicate for months now.
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Democracy Works Award Dinner
Sunday, November 04, 2007 ::
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I don't know what rock I have been under but Mike Brady is the recipient of the League of Women Voters 2007 Democracy Works Award. He got it for his work as the Chair of the Woodland Greenwaste Advisory Committee.
That is excellent. A very good choice.
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Father Daughter Dance on Saturday
Sunday, November 04, 2007 ::
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Abbie and I had a great time at the Father-Daughter Dinner Dance on Saturday. She usually goes to bed at 7:30pm so it got a little late for her.
They actually had lots of room for more people. I would guess there were 250 people there. Some younger. Some older.
We will certainly be back next year.
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What retirement percentage is fair?
Saturday, November 03, 2007 ::
3 Comments
At the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday we are considering a couple major items that will impact the county for years to come.
We are considering MOUs with basically all of the county employees.
For those of you that are not familiar with the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) here is he basic information.
Take the number of years you have worked for Yolo County or other PERS agency. That will be variable A. For our example let's say the number is 30 years.
Then you have the base salary. Most of the time this is your highest annual salary. This will be variable Y. For our example let's say it is $50,000 a year.
Now we get to the interesting part. There is some negotiated multiplier. Examples are 2% at 50. 3% at 50. 2.5% at 55. Cal PERS gives a menu of certain options here. This is the key part that we are considering on Tuesday. Right now the county is at 2% at 55. the proposal is to move it to 2.5% at 55. That .5% may not seem like a big deal but it is. Really big. The variable here can be V.
So let's say our example public employee retires at 55. Joe started working at the county at age 25 and stayed there for 30 years.
The equation is --
A*Y*V= annual retirement payment
So, Joe gets (30 years) * ($50,000 annual salary) * (2% variable) = $30,000 per year for life.
Under the change in the plan he would get --
(30 years) * ($50,000 annual salary) * (2.5% variable) = $37,500 per year for life.
Here is the crazy part to me. Joe worked for years for Yolo County at an agreement of 2% but because he still works for Yolo County all of his past service gets recalculated so that the variable change from 2% to @2.5% counts for all 30 years even if 29 of the years were under the old system.
Joe is going to get a 25% increase in his retirement return all in one vote by the Board of Supervisors.
My problem with this is that the variable should not really change. Some number is fair and it always will be fair. The years someone works is up to that individual. The base salary is what should change. An increase in that number can get you to the same place for the employee without a change in the variable.
I am not sure that I did a very good job of explaining this complicated issue.
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I will never understand this
Saturday, November 03, 2007 ::
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Jenn, Abbie, and I were headed down Man Street today when we saw the two Woodland PD cars at this scene.
I just don't understand how people get hit by trains. Trains don't swerve. If you don't want to get hit by one -- then don't stand or park between the two rails.
When I was in law school we had a couple cases about trains v. other collisions. Most of the the time it is cars actually running into the train. Good grief -- that is just stupid.
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Board of Supervisor Meeting on Tuesday
Saturday, November 03, 2007 ::
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The Board meeting on Tuesday should be a quick one. We have a couple resolutions to pass out -- but one stands out to me.
We are going to do a resolution to celebrate the 232nd birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Mike McGowan and I have ordered a cake for 50 and invited some local devil dogs to come celebrate.
Ted Puntillo is even bringing a USMC sword. Hmmmm....McGowan in the board chambers with cake and a sword. That suddenly does not sound like such a good idea.
Later in the meeting we will be considering a couple important MOUs with county employee units. I am sure that one an maybe two will get pulled from the consent calendar.
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Turkey Update
Saturday, November 03, 2007 ::
1 Comments
Yesterday we added $150 from Supervisor Mike McGowan.
Today we picked up $100 from Tovey Giezentanner.
We are slowly getting to our goal.
I am still expecting a couple checks to come in that have been promised. Some of them I don't know what the amount will be.
Once the folks in Davis stop beating the tar out of each other in the school board races then we will probably see more activity over there.
Gobble Gobble.
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Death
Friday, November 02, 2007 ::
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Floating Foam has a great post on death.
While I am sure that I am going to heaven when I die I find the way that people deal with death to be very interesting.
For example, I have only been to one funeral in my life. I was part of a color guard in the Marine Corps. I had no desire to go but was the only one with my dress blues at the ready -- so off I went.
For those of you that are reading this --- I am not coming to your funeral either. I might have a beer for you or might do something to honor you -- but it is extremely unlikely that I will be at your funeral.
When I die -- just plow me into one of Duane Chamberlain's field.
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Father Daughter Dance on Saturday
Thursday, November 01, 2007 ::
1 Comments
This morning Abbie woke up and said "Daddy, the Father-Daughter dance is coming up."
She has been all excited about this for a while now. When I called to get tickets today they were sold out.
I am a bad daddy. Bad. Bad. Bad.
Someone sell me a pair of tickets to this dance. Please. There has got to be a pair that is not being used out there.
At this point I will trade Jenn and Adam for a pair of tickets to that event.
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Gobble Gobble 2
Thursday, November 01, 2007 ::
0 Comments
Dr. Cirenio Rodriguez (and Yolo County Board of Education Trustee) is in for $100. We are rolling.
Doug Paul Davis and I just counted to $2100.
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Gobble Gobble
Thursday, November 01, 2007 ::
1 Comments
Today we got a $500 commitment from Supervisor Duane Chamberlain.
I also forgot to mention that this weekend Don Shor from Davis agreed to send a check.
We are going to get there...it may take a while. One way or another Dotty, Doug Paul Davis and I will get 350 turkeys to the Wayfarer Center by November 19th.
At this point we need money more than we need turkeys. We are happy to accept whatever you offer but our greatest need is to buy the turkeys we ordered.
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